Artists & Makers Studios is pleased to present Valerie Schwarz’s exhibition of artworks entitled, “Wooden Whimsy.” In this collection, Schwarz explores the intersection of midcentury design and traditional folk art, translating the organic beauty of nature into vibrant, laser-cut wood canvases. These pieces sprouted from a joyous, endless curiosity in materials and the natural world.
Drawing inspiration from the playful, geometric sensibilities of designers like Alexander Girard and the handcrafted, textured work of Evelyn and Jerome Ackerman, these pieces are a study in color, pattern, and intentional design. Each flower and bug is designed to be a small act of joy. Historically, folk art was a communal practice, a shared language used to beautify public spaces and reflect the environments in which artists lived. Schwarz’s work seeks to honor this lineage by creating accessible, friendly objects that transform everyday walls into spaces of warmth and connection. By merging modern fabrication techniques with the soul of traditional craft, these pieces serve as a reminder to slow down and appreciate the natural world and creativity around us.
Valerie Schwarz studied Character Animation at California Institute of the Arts, where she later dropped out to start her 10-year career in cartoons at her first job as a Background Designer on DuckTales. Since then, she has art directed and designed for major animation studios and projects. Schwarz has studied metal fabrication and jewelry design and founded a small jewelry brand inspired by folk art called Friendly Folk. Devoted to being a lifelong student to craft and creativity of all kinds, Valerie Schwarz continues to fall in love with new media and hopes to one day be as prolific as her favorite industrial designers. Schwarz resides in Los Angeles with her partner and many critters.
